frames?

[greggholmes]

is there any real difference between brass frame and steel frame cap and ball revolvers? Quality?

[rollingb]

Brass frames are softer than steel frames and have a tendency to "stretch" if fed a steady diet of max powder charges.

[Stormrider51]

What RB said.  My first handgun was an Italian made 1851 Navy .36 in brass frame.  It got shot a lot and over time the cylinder pin became loose in the frame.  I was able to tighten it twice before it wallowed out the hole in the frame enough that I couldn't get it back tight.  I'd go with a steel frame.  It will probably outlast you.

Storm

[Bigsmoke]

Ditto to what Storm said.  My first revolver was also an Italian brass frame .36 cal 1851.
I forget what all happened to it, but I recollect saying it automatically self destructed right before my very eyes.
Too bad, as it was really a good shooting pistol.  Very accurate.  
I think it was a Hawes brand.
Amazingly enough, the store where I bought it refunded my money on it.

[greggholmes]

Ill look around the gun show Saturday for a steel framed one ,
thanks

[Captchee]

did you find one Greg?
 i saw some real good prices on new Uberti. there even was a used Black Hawk  i saw for 300.00

 myself i have both steel and brass framed 1851's
 On the steel framed Uberti  i have a Richard , Mason  cartridge conversion . My brass fraimed 1851 wouldn’t hold up to that . Thus u dedicate it to low charge BP only

[greggholmes]

Some things came up and I wasn't able to go, I'm in no hurry, I'll keep my eyes open.
Thanks